FOREIGN CITIZENS ADOPTED 44 CHILDREN FROM ARMENIA IN 2005

Yerevan, Julky 11. ArmInfo. Forty-four children from Armenia were
adopted by foreign citizens in 2005, Armenian Justice Minister David
Haroutiunyan told ArmInfo.

He said foreign citizens adopt about 40-50 Armenian children yearly
in average. 75% of foreign citizens adopting children from Armenia
are Armenians residing in the USA, France, Italy, Russia and other
countries. Of course, tragic cases cannot be overseen, however,
the government carefully studies the financial and social state of
parents. Psychologists work with them for a long time to find out
how the new family will perceive a new child, the minister said.

Presenting an International Convention on protection of children’s
rights when adopted by foreign citizens at the Constitutional Court of
Armenia, Minister Haroutiunyan said the document, which was signed
on 29 May 1993 in Hague, aims to create mechanisms guaranteeing
protection of children in case of their adoption by foreign citizens.

Among the commitments Armenia undertook when signing the document is
establishment of a consultative body regulating the adoption process.

To note, Armenia joined the Convention with a reservation related
Article 22: adoption of children by foreign citizens must meet the
Armenian legislation and not the provisions of the Convention. To
come into effect, the document requires ratification by the Armenian
National Assembly.